It appears that your web browser does not support JavaScript, or you have temporarily disabled scripting. Either way, this site won't work without it. Please take a look at our browser support page for more help.

Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs)

Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are written legal agreements developed by the Council on behalf of the Highways Authority. They allow the Council's civil enforcement officers to enforce various regulations including:

on-street parking

resident parking schemes

disabled bays

school zig zags

other restrictions.

Hampshire County Council (HCC) promotes speed limits but the Borough Council is able to undertake preliminary survey work and liaise with HCC.

Most traffic regulation orders come about as a result of input from local communities and the police, to address specific traffic congestion or quality of life issues. See below for information on the order making process.

The order making process

A formal TRO requires a statutory procedure to be followed. This includes:

1. Consultation - Following the completion of the outline design the local borough and county councillors' views will be sought prior to progressing informal consultation for the larger schemes. This is usually in the form of a manned public exhibition. Local interest groups such as residents, traders and community groups and local public transport operators who are likely to be affected by the proposals may also be consulted where appropriate. The proposal could then be amended following this preliminary consultation.

2. Advertisement of the TRO then takes place. This includes at least one notice in the local press. The Council will usually display notices in any roads that are affected and, if it is deemed appropriate, may deliver notices to premises directly fronting the road affected. For at least 21 days from the start of the notice the proposal can be viewed at the Council offices and library during normal office hours. Objections to the proposals and comments of support must be made in writing to the address specified in the notice during this period. Substantial objections and contentious issues are then reported to and considered by Local Councillors. Following this the matter is reported to the Head of Planning Policy and Transport who, in consultation with the Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder, must decide whether to (a) allow the scheme to proceed as advertised, (b) modify the scheme, or (c) abandon it.

3. Making the Order - The TRO can then be formally sealed providing all standing objections have been considered. Modifications to the proposals resulting from objections could require further consultation. This procedure can take many months to complete and the advertising and legal fees can be substantial. For this reason schemes requiring a TRO normally need to be included in the transport management programme and cannot be carried out on an ad hoc basis.

Occasionally temporary orders or experimental orders are introduced which require a slightly different process which still gives people an opportunity to put forward their views.